Method for producing firearm frames



J. 17, 1939. w. c. ROEMER 2,143,923

METHOD FOR PRODUCING FIREARM FRAMES Filed Dec. 19, 1935 Rue/250w M/lz'am G fa /720" Patented Jan. 17, 1939 STATES PATENT OFFICE METHOD FOR PRODUCING FIREARM FRAMES Application December 19, 1935, Serial No. 55,209

Claims.

This invention relates to an improved method for making frames for firearms, i. e., the portions of firearms which serve to mount the firing mechanisms.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a superior method whereby firearm frames may be produced.

Another object is to provide a method of manufacture by means of which a strong and. durable firearm frame may be produced at low cost.

With the above and other objects in view, as will appear to those skilled in the art from the following, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawing and appended claims, the present invention includes all features disclosed therein which are novel over the prior art.

In the accompanying drawing:

Fig. 1 is a View in side elevation of a tube from which a firearm frame may be made in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an end view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a view of the tube after the same has been partly cut away;

Fig. 4 is a front-end View thereof;

Fig. 5 is a top or plan view thereof;

Fig. 6 is a view of a blank after the same has been subjected to a pressure-forming operation;

Fig. 7 is a front-end view thereof;

Fig. 8 is a view of the blank after the same has been subjected to a further forming operation;

Fig. 9 is a top or plan View thereof;

Fig. 10 is a front-end view thereof; and

Fig. 11 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line Illl of Fig. 8.

One mode of carrying out the present invention comprises selecting a length of tube it, such as is shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and having appropriate dimensions, wall thickness and transverse shape. The tube i0 is preferably seamless and may be 40 formed of iron, steel or other suitable malleable material.

For the purpose of making clear the invention, the following description will deal with the production of a frame for use in a breakdown shot- The tube ill of Figs. 1 and 2 may be suitably cut by a milling operation, or otherwise, to produce a partially-tubular blank II, shown in Figs. 3 to 5 inclusive. The blank ll now being described includes a tubular portion I2 having extending rearwardly from it two tang-extensions l3 and it, located diametrically opposite each other and respectively at the top and bottom of the blank. The forward end of the blank H is shaped to provide an upwardly-opening substantially trough-shaped portion l5 forming an integral extension of the tubular portion I2, as do also the tang-extensions i3 and M, before referred to.

The blank I i, above described, may now be subjected to deformation by the action of suitable dies to change its transverse form from that shown in Fig. 4 to that shown in Fig. '7, to form a blank it which comprises an elongated tubular portion I? having a substantially-semicircular convex upper wall i8 and a convex bottom wall it, which latter also extends forwardly to form the bottom wall of a fiat-sided trough-shaped portion which'includes substantially-fiat side walls 2!l-,2t, as illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7. Extending rearwardly from the semicircular upper wall E8 of the blank i5 is an upper tang-extension 2|, and similarly extending rearwardly from the bottom wall i9 is a lower tang-extension 22.

The blank it of Figs. 6 and 7 may now be subjected to a further forming operation to produce the semi-finished frame 23, shown in Figs. 8 to 11 inclusive. The frame 23 includes a mid-portion 24 of tubular form in cross-section, having the forward portion 25 of its top wall of semicircular form and having the rear portion of its said top wall inset to provide a substantially-fiat surface 26 for the mounting of a locking-lever which latter does not require illustration herein. Extending rearwardly from the fiat portion 26 of the top wall of the tubular portion 24 of the frame 23 is an upper longitudinally-curved attachingtang 27 adapted in conjunction with a similarlycurved lower attaching-tang 28 to secure the frame to a suitable buttstock (not shown) in the usual manner of firearms. The frame 23 also includes an upwardly-opening trough-shaped portion 29 extending forwardly from the tubular portion 24 and comprising complementary flat side walls 303ll and a downwardly-convexed bottom wall 3! which latter also forms the bottom wall of the tubular portion 24, just referred to.

Preferably, and as shown, the frame 23 is produced from a tube such as it, which is subsequently altered in transverse form, but, obviously, if desired, tubing having the transverse form shown in Fig. '7 may be employed, in which case the step of transversely shaping a blank of the character shown in Figs. 3 and 4 prior to cutting away portions thereof, may be omitted.

After the frame 23 has been produced, as described, it is ready for finishing operations, such, for instance, as drilling the ends of the attachingtangs 27 and 28, as indicated by broken lines 32. The fiat portion 26 of the top wall of the tubular portion 24 of the frame may then be drilled, as

indicated by broken lines 33 in Fig; 9, to provide a bearing for a locking-lever. The top edges of the trough-shaped forward portion 29 of the frame may be milled, as indicated by broken lines 34-34 in Fig. 10, to provide a barrel-seat, in the usual manner of breakdown firearms. As a further step in completing the frame 23 for use in a breakdown firearm, the forward end of the trough-shaped portion 29 of the frame may be rounded as at 35 concentrically with perforations 36 in the side walls 30-30 in which latter a suitable fulcrum-pin may be mounted in accordance with usual practice. V As thus produced, the frame 23 is of neat and attractive appearance and of ample strength for the purpose intended and may be produced at a low cost for manufacture.

The invention may be carried out in other specific ways than those herein set forth without departing from the spirit and essential characteristics of the invention, and the present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all changes coming within the meaning and equivalency range 'of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein.

I claim:

1. A method for producing firearm frames from tubing, including: selecting a length of tubing having a continuous perimeter and then transversely and longitudinally deforming the same into the shape of a firearm frame.

2. A method for producing firearm frames :5 from tubing, including: selecting a length of tubing having a continuous perimeter, cutting away portions of the said tubing to form a partially-. tubular blank having a tubular portion and a portion extending from the said tubular portion, and then both transversely and longitudinally deforming the said partially-tubular blank into the shape of a firearm frame.

3. A method for producing firearm frames from tubing, including: selecting a length of tubing having a continuous perimeter, cutting away portions of the said tubing to form a partiallytubular blank having a tubular portion and one 7 or more integral attaching-tangs extending from the said tubular portion, and then both transversely and longitudinally deforming the said partially-tubular blank into the shape of a firearm frame. 7

4. A method for producing firearm frames from tubing, including: selecting a length of tubing having a continuous perimeter, cutting away upper portions of the said tubing to form a partiallyetubular blank having a tubular portion and an upwardly-opening trough-shaped portion extending forwardly from the said tubular portion, and then both transversely and longitudinally deforming the said partially-tubular blank into the shape of a firearm frame.

5. A method for producing firearm frames from tubing, including: selecting a length of tubing having a continuous perimeter, cutting away both front and rear portions of the said tubing to form a partially-tubular blank having an integral trough-shaped portion extending forwardly from the said tubular portion and one or more integral attaching-tangs extending rearwardly from the said tubular portion, and then both transversely and longitudinally deforming the said partially-tubular blank into the shape of a firearm frame.

, WILLIAM C. ROEMER. 

